Page 29 of Driven Wild By The Grizzly

Ethan shrugs in that careless way of his. “Yup.”

“No way!” His eyes look about ready to drop out of his head.

As Ricky starts jabbering on about how much he loves the game, I stalk off to the kitchen. Personally, I don’t care whether Ethan’s occupation is app designer, full-time mountain man, or bus driver. He’s the smartest, most interesting, most protective guy I’ve met. But if that’s what it takes to get Ricky onside…

Ten minutes later, I’m bringing three cups of coffee over to the coffee table. Ethan is showing Ricky some photos on his phone, and Ricky is nodding thoughtfully.

“Ricky thinks he can get hold of the parts I need for the bus. And fit them for me,” Ethan says. “And if he’s looking to branch out, I’m pretty sure the local bus service will give him more work than he can handle.”

My heart leaps. “Ricky’s a great mechanic,” I say. “He had all five-star reviews at his last business.”

“Four-point-nine,” Ricky mumbles, but I can tell he’s touched by my endorsement.

“Guess you need to get the show back on the road as soon as?” he asks Ethan.

Ethan spreads his hands wide. “Yup. Don’t want to leave all those poor customers high and dry.”

Ricky swigs back his coffee. “Let’s go!” He jumps to his feet, then groans as his bruised body protests.

Ethan takes my hand and we exchange a look. He doesn’t need to say anything—I understand. He’s relieved that my brother is softening, because he knows it’ll make me happy.

As we walk out to the car, Ethan wraps his arm around me and I swear I’ve never felt so protected in my life.

11

Jessica

It’s almost dark when we hike along the trail to the cabin. The storm has finally blown over, but the air is saturated and rainwater is dripping down from the trees. A lot has happened today, I think. Love, another near-death experience, and a beautiful new bro-mance. Also, Ricky managed to do a temporary fix on the bus, and he’s ordered a replacement part from a buddy of his who has a junkyard full of ancient vehicles. And now the evening is stretching ahead of us and I can hardly wait.

“I need to clear out a track for your car, so you can drive right up here,” Ethan says as he helps me over a fallen tree-trunk.

“Won’t you hate that?” I say, gazing at the narrow trail that has been Ethan’s route to civilization for years.

“I’ll get used to it. Can’t have my mate hiking through the forest every time you want to go someplace.”

My breath catches. I love how much he’s prepared to change for me. He already offered for us to move into the town, but I said no. I’ve got a feeling I’m going to love living in seclusion with him, surrounded by nothing but the sounds and smells of nature.

When the little cabin finally comes into view, my heart leaps. It looks so cozy and welcoming, like it’s been waiting for us to come back.

“Welcome home, baby,” Ethan murmurs, wrapping his arm around me and leading me to the front door. “This place is yours now. You can make any changes you want. Paint the front door, add some curtains, whatever makes you happy.”

I’m so overwhelmed with happiness and excitement for our future, I suddenly feel like I can barely stand on my own two feet. Right on cue, Ethan sweeps me up into his arms. He kisses me long and deep, then he carries me over the threshold of our cabin.

Our cabin,I say to myself, over and over, and it feels so right.

When he’s deposited me gently on the couch, Ethan excuses himself to start up the fire again, and in a couple of minutes, orange flames are leaping up from the pile of logs.

And then I’m back in his strong arms. Now we’re alone again, I feel his wild, sexual energy unleashing itself. And, to my delight, I also sense his bear, pushing up against his skin. I love that it’s showing itself to me, allowing me to connect with it.

He feels at my skin, checking my temperature. “You need a shower to get warmed up again?”

“Maybe…” I bite my lip as a mischievous thought pops into my head. “But you’re not showering outside this time.”

“No? Why’s that?”

“Because you’re showering with me.”

Without waiting for him to respond, I tear my shirt over my head, and I start walking to the bathroom. My bra hits the floor next, then I shuck off my jeans, and by the time I open the bathroom door, I’m naked.

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